LOLLIPOP ladies patrolling one of the busiest roads in Warwickshire are being equipped with robocams to snare abusive motorists.

The situation has got so bad with "drive-through" incidents in Croft Road, Stockingford, Nuneaton, that a second crossing patrol warden has been introduced.

Both are now being equipped with a recording device on their helmets in a bid to catch the culprits - and provide evidence in court.

Warwickshire County Council has decided to trial the cameras in Nuneaton because Croft Road has a notorious reputation for drivers who refuse to stop.

Bonny Landsborough, the county's school crossing patrol supervisor, said if the trial is successful, it could be rolled out across other parts of the county.

She said: "We have got to try everything to stop motorists who put the lives of our patrols and the children at risk.

"Our patrols hold a legal and bona fide stop sign - yet motorists still deliberately ignore them. Most drivers are absolutely fantastic, but the odd one can make it very difficult."

She added: "It's shocking that we have to go down this path, but we have to support our patrols and our children."

Lollipop lady Beverley Kingston, who regularly patrols Croft Road, said she had been sworn at, threatened and nearly run over.

She said: "Some of them laugh at you and sometimes you get the finger. The number of people failing to stop is incredible. In one week, I had 22."

Officials say there have been similar problems at Church Road, Stockingford, Park Lane in Robinson's End, and Victoria Road and Church Lane, Hartshill.

Sandra Barton, the school crossing patrol supervisor for the Nuneaton area, said of Croft Road: "It's unbelievable. My patrols have reported cars swerving through sites even when the patrols and children are actually on the road."